"Mountain View Private School's Unforgettable Final Praise and Worship Session: Reflecting on the School Year with Music and Gratitude"

Here at our Mountain View Private School we end each week with a "Praise and Worship". Sometimes this means pulling up videos from You Tube to follow along with. Other times, it's entering God's Sanctuary for Praise sessions lead by Ms. Jewels (that's me!).

Today was the final Praise and Worship session that I will lead during this 2023-24 school year. So I wanted it to be unforgettable! For this blog, I'll give you a glimpse into this special Worship session, while reflecting on the School Year, with Music and Gratitude.

We started the session with a compilation of some of our songs that require motions. Here's a few video clips--->

"Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart":

"Our God is an "Awesome God"

"Clap Your Hands!"

Sometimes we forget the motions and we start giggling until we can pick it back up again! :) as shown by this photo slideshow--->

Next up on our musical set list was the song "Jesus Loves Me". I wanted this song in our last session because it's a big hit with everyone at every age! Also, it is an easy one for the students to play percussion along with me as I play the piano--->

From there, we slowed things down and gathered around the piano to sing "In Christ Alone". But I guess we were all so focused and into that meditation that we forgot to snap a photo or video. Which is too bad, because the students sang it loudly and expressively with their whole hearts and it was very moving!

"In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand"

None of these praise sessions are complete unless we do "The Praise March!" Right when the students entered the Sanctuary today, I was being asked if we could do the marching songs! I say yes of course, God wants us to Praise Him! And this is really "in tune" with my theme for this year "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!" Psalm 100:1

Here we go! ---->

Pastor Luke had to make sure his flag with the "Luther Seal" made it on the blog. :)

For our last song, Pastor Luke showed us the motions for "Lord I Lift your name on High". We sang it faster and faster! I gave up on keeping pace on the piano and just started clapping!

With this being the last Sanctuary Worship for this year, I wanted it to be unforgettable! So not only did I select "our greatest hits", but to make this extra special, I surprised the students with handmade, personalized gifts! --->

For each student's gift, I hand painted (and personalized) a painted wooden butterfly or cross with musical themes. I just wanted to show my gratitude and make sure they know as the year comes to a close, I treasure our time spent together worshiping our Lord and Savior!

To end this blog, I'd like to share the prayer that I closed our worship session with:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray through our worship, that the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith and deepens our connection with you. We're here to "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart", to praise you "Our Awesome God" and to "Clap our Hands!" We do this cheerfully because we know who you are and what you've done for us! Through Jesus' death on the cross you saved us from sin and grant us eternal life! For all this, we love you and devote ourselves to you, striving to please you in all we say and do.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen!